Check out this STOL aircraft, built using the frame of a Polish built Wilga 2000.

It's called a DRACO and it looks like the baddest bush plane out there, light and with a lot of horsepower. It's amazing how quickly this thing jumps into the air, looks like less than 100 feet at sea level.

If anyone makes it up this way, the Valdez fly in is a great way to spend a day. As B 2/75 said, if there is any kind of headwind the landings look fake, like a CGI effect. I believe one year we were there and the total take off and landing distance was something like 35 feet.

The ruling Jewish elite has struggled to attempt to make global warming into a popular issue, but it has obviously remained something that only an elite minority believes in, cares about or even thinks about. So when they cause a massive inconvenience to normal people’s lives in the name of this hoax, and the people revolt, the only actual solution is to lecture the people.

If anyone makes it up this way, the Valdez fly in is a great way to spend a day. As B 2/75 said, if there is any kind of headwind the landings look fake, like a CGI effect. I believe one year we were there and the total take off and landing distance was something like 35 feet.

Who's asking?

I was in Bitterroot valley for a week last year; got hosed out some mountainous terrain training into Moose Creek (1U1), by the wildfires that were running rampant. You are really north brother. I tried to MAC into Elmendorf in 2005 but their strip was in a reduced capacity due to construction; canít hang out at Travis for ever, so that was as close as I got to Alaska. Spending time in AK is on my bucket list.

Lucked out with 2 tours in Alaska. First at Ft Richardson for 3 years, during which I earned private, commercial, instrument and seaplane ratings. The flying club was the largest military flying club in the world. Got time in a lot of different aircraft. Built time flying people in and out of remote strips and lakes, on hunting trips. Second tour was at Ft Greely for 3 years. Bought a Citabria, and flew it everywhere - almost 1000 hours. Saw several STOL competitions, but never competed. Good times.

Lucked out with 2 tours in Alaska. First at Ft Richardson for 3 years, during which I earned private, commercial, instrument and seaplane ratings. The flying club was the largest military flying club in the world. Got time in a lot of different aircraft. Built time flying people in and out of remote strips and lakes, on hunting trips. Second tour was at Ft Greely for 3 years. Bought a Citabria, and flew it everywhere - almost 1000 hours. Saw several STOL competitions, but never competed. Good times.

Unfortunately, no. Kept the plane a couple of years in Maine, then when I retired I sold it, intending to buy another. My post retirement career left me little time to fly. Fully retired now, and sometimes contemplate taking a shot at the flight physical, and if I can pass, get back into flying. We'll see.

Ok stupid question: why planes and not rotary wings for these remote environments? I would hate to land a plane somewhere and then have a bitch of a time trying to takeoff again. With a chopper you’re in and out. There must be valid reasons for plane vs chopper, but they are not obvious to me.

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"He who does not punish evil commands that it be done." -- Leonardo Da Vinci